Plant and animal adaptations in cold environments
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how plants and animals are well adapted to the physical conditions in cold environments and that there are issues related to biodiversity.
Key learning points
- Cold environments are home to a variety of plants and animals.
- Animals in cold environments are well adapted to the physical conditions.
- Plants in cold environments are well adapted to the physical conditions.
- There are issues related to biodiversity in cold environments.
Keywords
Adaptation - evolutionary changes that improve an organism’s chance of survival in its environment
Hibernation - a state that certain animals enter to save energy during periods of unfavourable weather conditions or food shortages
Biodiversity - the variety of different types of life found in a particular area
Ecosystem - a community of living organisms and their interactions with their environment
Common misconception
That due to the extreme cold climate, particularly during the winter months, that all animals must hibernate to save energy.
Only two polar or tundra species enter full hibernation - the grizzly bear and arctic ground squirrel. Many other animals migrate to find food and warmth, while others are highly adapted to remain active and survive the extremely cold winters.
Teacher tip
Watching short clips from wildlife programmes about animal and plant adaptations in the cold environment as a class helps to reinforce understanding of the link between challenges and adaptations.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What are the two main types of cold environments?
Q2.Which of the following is an example of a polar environment?
Q3.Why are cold environments important?
Q4.What is a glacier?
Q5.What type of animal is well adapted to life in polar environments?
Q6.What type of trees are often found in cold environments?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the lesson keywords to their definition.
Q2.Why do animals in cold environments have thick fur or feathers?
Q3.Which of the following are ways in which cotton grass has adapted to tundra conditions?
Q4.Which of these animals enter full hibernation during the winter?
To help you plan your 10 geography lesson on: Plant and animal adaptations in cold environments, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 geography lesson on: Plant and animal adaptations in cold environments, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 geography lessons from the Cold environments unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.